MLB Ejection 167 - Brian O'Nora (1; Joe Espada)

HP Umpire Brian O'Nora ejected Astros manager Joe Espada (Replay Review decision that upheld a foul ball call to Alex Bregman; QOCN/Y) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Reds-#Astros game. With one out and none on, Astros batter Bregman attempted to check his swing on a 1-1 changeup from Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire O'Nora (as opposed to a hit-by-pitch). Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Astros manager Espada, O'Nora's call stood as a foul ball. Replays indicate the pitched ball did not touch the batter's bat, but this is not a reviewable aspect of the challenge for hit-by-pitch, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Brian O'Nora (7)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*Review's "stands" decision on the HBP was technically correct, but the foul ball call was incorrect. Because foul ball (on the infield) and foul tip are not reviewable, and since the ball passed the bat distinctly before the ball/body issue came into play, the challenge was a fruitless endeavor since O'Nora's on-field foul ball call could not possibly have been overturned.

This is the 167th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 84th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 84 Managers, 27 Coaches, 56 Players.

This is Houston's 9th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (HOU 9; OAK 8; SEA 7; LAA, TEX 6).

This is Joe Espada's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 28 (Jim Wolf; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brian O'Nora's 1st ejection since May 21, 2023 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Cincinnati Reds, 9/5/24 | Video as follows:

Teachable - A West Coast Triple Play

This Tmac Teachable Moment comes to us from the West Coast League, featuring the Bellingham Bells and Kamloops NorthPaws on a wacky bases-loaded triple play that involved some quick thinking from a three-person umpire crew looking to cover all potential aspects of this play.

Tmac reviews responsibilities for all three umpires as the defensive team catches a fly ball, throws to second to retire baserunner R1 in a rundown, and then throws home for the third out on R3 attempting to score during all the commotion.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 165-6 - Lance Barrett (1-2; STL x2)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso and manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call to Pedro Pagés; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Cardinals-#Brewers game. With two out and one on, Cardinals batter Pagés took a 0-0 sinker from Brewers pitcher Aaron Civale for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.79, pz 3.14 [sz_top 3.18 / RAD 3.30]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Cardinals were leading, 3-2. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 7-4, in 12 innings.

These are Lance Barrett (16)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2024.

This pitch was located 2.88 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 165th and 166th ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th coach ejection of 2024.

This is the 83rd manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 83 Managers, 27 Coaches, 56 Players.

This is St Louis' 7/8th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the NL Central (MIL, STL 8; PIT 7; CHC 6; CIN 3).

This is Daniel Descalso's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 12 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Oliver Marmol's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since Aug 12 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Lance Barrett's 1st ejection since September 20, 2023 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Milwaukee Brewers, 9/3/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 163-4 - Hunter Wendelstedt (5-6; CWS x2)

HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore and LF Andrew Benintendi (strike two and three calls; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Orioles game. With one out and none on, White Sox batter Andrew Benintendi took a 1-1 sweeper and 1-2 sinker from Orioles pitcher Cade Povich for called second and third strikes. Replays indicate the 1-1 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px 0.21, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.04 / RAD 3.16 / MOE 3.24]) and the 1-2 pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -1.02, pz 2.51), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 9-0. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 9-0.

These are Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 5th and 6th ejections of 2024.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

The 1-1 pitch was located 3.96 vertical and the 1-2 pitch was 1.27 horizontal inches from QOCY.

These are the 163rd and 164th ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 82nd manager ejection of 2024.

This is the 56th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 82 Managers, 26 Coaches, 56 Players.

This is Chicago's 9/10th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 10; CLE 3; KC, MIN 2; DET 1).

This is Grady Sizemore's first career MLB ejection.

This is Andrew Benintendi's 1st ejection since May 8, 2023 (Manny Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 5/6th ejection of 2024, 1st since Aug 7 (Dave Roberts; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Baltimore Orioles, 9/3/24 | Video as follows:

Calls of the Month - August 2024

August 2024's Top 5 Calls of the Month feature a few bizarre bunt plays and tag attempts, questions concerning boundaries and home runs, and a guest appearance by...Kramer?

5) Jeremy Riggs closes in on a tag play.

4) Bill Miller makes a rare call....

3) Shane Livensparger's no-catch decision

2) Larry Vanover, the oldest umpire ever to work an MLB game, calls a HR

1) Charlie Ramos (not pictured) with the HR call and James Hoye as Kramer

Video as follows: